By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Cheltenham’s green spaces will get a boost and there will be more money for repairs as residents face an almost three per cent hike from April.
Councillors have unanimously backed Cheltenham Borough Council’s £19.24m budget for the upcoming financial year.
It means band D properties in the spa town will have to pay £252.11 per year for the services provided by Cheltenham Borough Council up from £244.79 currently.
The total bill for such households will be higher as it includes £1,763.46 for Gloucestershire County Council and £340.58 for the police as well as parish council charges.
These are £55.93 in Charlton Kings, £39.73 in Leckhampton with Warden Hill, £37.02 in Prestbury, £19.33 in Swindon Village and £14.69 in Up Hatherley for band D homes.
The budget for 2026/27 includes growth of £159,000 and makes additional contributions to general fund balances to bring them up to £1.5m.
The savings for the financial year is £1.054m which will be delivered through a savings programme which includes a review of vacant staff roles and unallocated budgets that can be removed.
The council will also look to find savings and additional income that can be delivered with no impact upon services.
A review of discretionary services and identifying possible savings options and a detailed review of the capital programme.
Finance and assets cabinet member Peter Jeffries (LD, Springbank) presented the budget at today’s (February 27) meeting in the Municipal Offices.
“We are setting this budget at a time of real pressure for local government,” he said.
He said the need for services has increased but funding remains fragile for local authorities.
And welcomed the multi-year funding settlement from the Government but said money for Cheltenham had reduced.
“I will not pretend that the national system is not broken,” he said. Despite the challenges, he said the council has not lowered its ambition.
Cllr Jeffries said the Liberal Democrats have chosen “careful stewardship” and made decisions based on evidence.
He said the budget continues to invest on capital projects which would ensure Cheltenham is a place for opportunity and ambition.
“We must be honest, district councils cannot keep absorbing rising costs,” he said.
He said if the Government is serious about empowering local areas they must provide real devolution with more trust and resources.
“This budget is prudent, but passive, it’s careful but not stuck,” he said.
Green Party Councillor Tabi Joy (St Pauls) welcomed the budget and said there were no amendments from her group.
She recognised the financial challenges the authority faces but welcomed the extension of the council tax support and said she was “very happy we are committed to net zero by 2030”.
People Against Bureaucracy Councillor Stan Smith (Prestbury) congratulated council leaders for the work they have done in developing the budget.
“The budget is fair and improving,” he said and explained he would support it.
Deputy Mayor Martin Horwood (LD, Leckhampton) welcomed the investment in projects such as the £34,050 extra for Cheltenham’s green spaces which will see an increase in the staffing budget.
The council will also increase its budget for planned repairs and maintenance by £98,351
And councillors agreed to increase the marketing budget by £26,933 and maintain the current establishment after the Business Improvement District took the marketing function in-house.
The council voted unanimously to approve the budget.